Thursday, October 28, 2010

Socorro Community Theater’s upcoming production will be asking members of the audience to help find a murderer when it present the play “Funeral for a Gangster,” Oct. 29-30 and Nov. 5-6.
Who killed Vito? Was it Lena, his grieving widow, all decked out in diamonds? Or did one of his three conniving, no-good, mobster children have him bumped off?
This zany murder mystery is set in 1930, during the height of the Prohibition Era, when gangsters ruled the streets. Vito “the Gut” Marzetti has been gunned down at the local Chinese restaurant.
The audience will be attending “services” for Vito at Ruby’s Funeral Parlor and join familymembers as an FBI agent leads the way in discovering who had Vito killed, and where he hid his loot. Audience members are encouraged to help set the mood by wearing costumes from the 1920s/1930s, or to dress in funeral attire.
“We want people to feel they are a part of the funeral,” said director Rose Smith.
Halloween costumes are also accepted. Anyone who wears a full costume will receive a $3 discount at the door.
The audience, if they wish, can put their detective skills to the test by helping finger Vito’s killer, and figuring out where Vito kept his stash. Participants will fill out a simple questionnaire and solve a riddle to answer the last question. Prizes will be awarded nightly by drawing from solutions.
The cast of characters includes Alan Roes (Joey “the Lump” Marzetti), Bill Stone (Frankie “Marbles” Marzetti), Vicky Gonzales (Ruby “Fingers” Marzetti), Lauren Hurtgen (Lena, Vito’s widow), Thaddeus Bejnar (the FBI agent), Heydon Hensley (the Funeral Director), and newcomer Mary Gorton (Vito’s teacher).
“Even though it’s a funeral, each character has their own comic flair to bring to this most dysfunctional family,” Smith said.
“Funeral for a Gangster,” by Eileen Moushey, will be performed at The Old Epiphany Church, next to the Socorro Heritage and Visitor’s Center. “The old church was chosen because it gives the ambience of old-fashioned funeral parlors of the 1920s,” Smith said.
Tickets are $8, and $5 for people in full costume. The play runs over 2 weekends: Friday-Saturday, Oct. 29-30 and Nov. 5-6. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. for Friday performances and 3:30 p.m. for Saturday performances.
The Old Epiphany Church is located at 219 Fisher, across from the Fire Station. Parking is available at Plaza Furniture. Seating is limited. For ticket information, call 835-2564. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Picture: Members of the Socorro Community Theater participated in Saturday’s 49ers parade, with an elaborate float, featuring live performances from their play. “Funeral for A Gangster” starts this weekend.